complete

adjective

com·plete | \kəm-ˈplēt

completer; completest

Definition of complete

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : having all necessary parts, elements, or steps a complete diet

b of a protein : containing all essential amino acids Beans and grains combined together form a complete protein.

2a : total, absolute complete silence

b : fully carried out : thorough a complete renovation

c of a football pass : legally caught

3 : brought to an end : concluded a complete period of time

4 : highly proficient a complete artist

5 of a subject or predicate : including modifiers, complements, or objects

6 of insect metamorphosis : characterized by the occurrence of a pupal stage between the motile immature stages and the adult — compare incomplete sense 2

7 : having all four sets of floral organs

8 of a metric space : having the property that every Cauchy sequence of elements converges to a limit in the space

complete with

: made complete by the inclusion of a birthday cake complete with candles

complete

verb

completed; completing

Definition of complete (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to bring to an end and especially into a perfected state complete a painting

2a : to make whole or perfect Its song completes the charm of the bird. Her latest purchase completes her collection.

b : to mark the end of A rousing chorus completes the show.

c : execute, fulfill complete a contract

3 : to carry out (a forward pass) successfully The quarterback completed 12 out of 18 passes.

Other Words from complete Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about complete

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Other Words from complete

Adjective

completely adverb

completeness noun

completive \ kəm-ˈplē-tiv

\ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for complete

Adjective

full, complete, plenary, replete mean containing all that is wanted or needed or possible. full implies the presence or inclusion of everything that is wanted or required by something or that can be held, contained, or attained by it. a full schedule complete applies when all that is needed is present. a complete picture of the situation plenary adds to complete the implication of fullness without qualification. given plenary power replete implies being filled to the brim or to satiety. replete with delightful details

Verb

close, end, conclude, finish, complete, terminate mean to bring or come to a stopping point or limit. close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished. close a debate end conveys a strong sense of finality. ended his life conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting). the service concluded with a blessing finish may stress completion of a final step in a process. after it is painted, the house will be finished complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken. the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space. your employment terminates after three months

Examples of complete in a Sentence

Adjective

He spoke in complete sentences. They sat in complete silence.

Verb

The project took four months to complete. Her latest purchase completes her collection. The new baby completed their family. The quarterback completed 12 out of 15 passes.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

According to Vice President of Marketing Justin McCoy, the rebranding should be complete within about five years. — Henry J. Morgan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Menomonee Falls Cousins Subs celebrates July 11 reopening after redesign," 12 July 2018 Porter said the exact design of the garden and play area is not complete. — Lynn Horsley, kansascity, "From site of Prairie Village church, a 3-acre park with garden, play area will emerge," 12 July 2018 The center consists of 14 unique single-tenant or multiple-occupant buildings, six of which are 85 percent complete. — Jennifer Van Grove, sandiegouniontribune.com, "One Paseo: Inside the bustling construction site," 12 July 2018 Smith, who has been culling documents related to the fatal fire, said his review of those documents wouldn’t be complete for another two weeks. — Amy Lavalley, Post-Tribune, "'Any junk science will be excluded,' judge in arson-murder trial says," 5 July 2018 Additionally, sidewalks on the southside of Brook Hollow Parkway are complete along the entire expanse from Jimmy Carter Boulevard to Indian Trail Road. — Karen Huppertz, ajc, "Pedestrian bridge, sidewalks enhance safety on Brook Hollow Parkway," 3 July 2018 Some improvement and marginal declines for a player who needs to be a more complete hitter. — Jeff Wilson, star-telegram, "In a development season for Rangers, how is the development going?," 2 July 2018 As with Aligoté, a few very fabled Burgundians make it: Michel Lafarge, Vincent Bitouzet of Bitouzet Prieur, and Robert Groffier, whose 2015 is as complete as any Burgundy but substantially more accessible. — Patrick Comiskey, latimes.com, "Alternatives to Burgundy, from Burgundy," 29 June 2018 Barnes says the foundation is also seeking a more complete understanding of the role women played at Jefferson's estate. — Samantha Willis, Glamour, "Thomas Jefferson Owned Hundreds of Slaves. Now, a Black Woman Will Run His Foundation.," 29 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

At the time, Ramírez was a 17-year-old infielder who had just completed his first year of professional baseball in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ system playing in the Dominican Summer League. — Eduardo A. Encina, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles right-hander Yefry Ramírez has embraced change on winding path to major leagues," 14 July 2018 There is agreement on a purchase price and the public hearing completed, so the transfer of the Riley Lumber property to the town appears imminent. — Steven Goode, Courant Community, "Riley Lumber Property Purchase In Sight," 14 July 2018 In his last start before Saturday, Richards walked seven Nationals and completed only 3 2/3 innings. — Matthew Defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "A Closer Look: Miami Marlins 2, Philadelphia Phillies 0," 14 July 2018 Xherdan Shaqiri will undergo a medical at Liverpool on Friday before completing a £13.5m move to Anfield from Stoke City. — SI.com, "Xherdan Shaqiri Set for Liverpool Medical as Reds Close in on Third Summer Signing," 13 July 2018 In Pennsylvania, braiders must be licensed and must complete 2,000 hours of training in a beauty school, which covers a gamut of topics including hair styling and coloring. — Jan Hefler, Philly.com, "$18,000 in tuition and 1,200 hours of study for a license to braid hair? New Jersey lawmakers say no," 13 July 2018 The reception punctuated an 84-yard, three-play drive as Misner completed two of three attempts for 69 yards. — Rich Torress, Indianapolis Star, "North extends winning streak to four in IFCA All-Star game," 13 July 2018 American Carli Lloyd’s third goal scored from midfield against Japan in the 2015 Women’s World Cup Final, which completed a hat trick. — Amanda Christovich, USA TODAY, "Andres Cantor explains how his famous 'gol!' call came to be, gives his top 5 calls of the last decade," 13 July 2018 The public works department is completing work on Kansas City’s first parking protected bike lanes along Armour Boulevard from Broadway to The Paseo. — Sarah Gish, kansascity, "Will Kansas City ever be bike-friendly? The city is about to roll out a plan," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'complete.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near complete

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Last Updated

7 Nov 2018

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Time Traveler for complete

The first known use of complete was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for complete

complete

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of complete

(Entry 1 of 2)

: having all necessary parts : not lacking anything

: not limited in any way

: not requiring more work : entirely done or completed

complete

verb

English Language Learners Definition of complete (Entry 2 of 2)

: to finish making or doing (something) : to bring (something) to an end or to a finished state

: to make (something) whole or perfect

American football : to throw (a forward pass) to a teammate who catches it

See the full definition for complete in the English Language Learners Dictionary

complete

adjective

com·plete | \kəm-ˈplēt

Kids Definition of complete

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : having all necessary parts : not lacking anything a complete set of books

2 : entirely done His training is complete.

3 : thorough sense 1 complete darkness

complete

verb

completed; completing

Kids Definition of complete (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to bring to an end : finish complete a job

2 : to make whole or perfect He needs six more state flags to complete his collection.

complete

adjective

com·plete | \kəm-ˈplēt

Medical Definition of complete

1 of insect metamorphosis : characterized by the occurrence of a pupal stage between the motile immature stages and the adult — compare incomplete sense 1

2 of a bone fracture : characterized by a break passing entirely across the bone — compare incomplete sense 2

3 of a protein : containing all essential amino acids — compare incomplete sense 4